Variable-speed mechanism



J. H. WELLS VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM NQv. 9

FledvF'eb. 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l um L Filed Feb,

5,' 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 nu a INVEN'R- Nov. 9 1926. ,606,548

Jv H. WELLS VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5m INVENTDR..

Patented Nov. ltl.,

PRESS CO., LIMITED, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

VARIABLESPEED EEECHANISF.

Application filed February `5, 1925, Serial No. 7,028, and in rl`hisinvention relates to variable speed mechanism adapted for use inimparting motion to the cylinders of a printing press adapted forprintinga without waste of paper, many different sizes of work. Theinvention is also adapted for driving cutters, perforators7 scorers,folders or creasers and the like.

`lllhen used in connection with a press the desired result is attainedby employing two printing,` cylinders, with their accessories, and eachprovided with a printing plate subtending an arc less than a fullcircle, one printing the blank spaces on the web of paper left by theother; and by providing mechanism whereby each cylinder is rotated at aconstant speed while printing and at a different speed while notprinting so that the cylinders each rotate through the printing arc oftheir peripheries in the same time that they rotate through thenon-printing are of their peripheries. lt will be distinctly understoodthat more than two printing cylinders may be used and thatl one cylinderwill print the blank spaces left by the other cylinders or one cylindermay be used for printing a certain colour while one or more othercolours are superimposed on the first impression.

if the printing plates on the cylinders subtend an arc of less than i800it is evident that the different motion above referred to must be anaccelerated motion, while if the plates subtend an arc of over 180 thediiderent motion must be a retarded-motion. lt is also evident that, ifthe press is to be adapted for many different lengths of printing platesto suit different lengths of printed sheetsj means must be provided tovary the length of the arc of constant or printing speed and for varyingthe speed during the non-printingl periods according to the length ofthe` non-printing arc of each cylinder. lt is also essential that thespeed during the. making of any one impression should be as nearlyabsolutely constant as possible and should not-vary in such a manner asto affect the registration of the printing cylinders. My objecttherefore is to devise variable speed mechanism for printing presses andthe like which will enable a very wide range of sizes to be printed.jwhich is easily adjusted to print any desired size within its range,which will effect Canada February 4, 1925.

the changes from constant to different speed with as little shock andjar as possible, in which the speed-varying mechanism is so lockedduring the periods of constant speed that it cannet have any effect inproducing any irregularity in the speed, and thus in the printing, inwhich means are provided for attaining substantially perfect meshing ofthe interchangeable gears used in varying the length of theprinting arc,in which the periods of constant speed and different speed are delimitedwith substantially absolute accuracy, and which is rugged and not liableto lose accuracy by wear.

l. attain my object by means of the constructions hereinafter describedand illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichi l is alongitudinal section of my vari able speed mechanism showing itconnected with a printing press;

Fig. 2 a plan view. partly in horizontal section, of the two carryingmembers and rear change gears shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-3 in Fig. l showing, in full lines, anend elevation of the speed-varying member in its position at thecommencen'ient of its rotary movement and-showing, in constructionallines, its position atthe end of its rotary movement;

Fig. e' a section on the line e--t in Fig. l showing an enel elevationof the gear part ofthe carrying member and part of the seoond carryingmember after they have been revolved a portion of a revolution andshowing the speed-varying -'iember in its position at the end of itsrotary movement;

5 a front elevation of the casing for nr mechanism showing the gearcarrying frame and the mechanism for finely adjusting it; y i

6 an underside plan view of the fine adiustment mechanism shown in Fig.5;

Fig. 7 a section on the line 7-7 in l showing an end elevation of theparts of my variable speed mechanism and showing the rear gearingemployed to attain one direc-` tion of rotation of the rotary drivenmeni- -ber; andV Fig. 8 a diagrammatic view of the rear gearing showinga different arrangement of gears, to reversethe direction of rotation ofthe rotary driven .member and to reduce its speen? from that shown inFig. 7.

. slots B7 Y the lrear In the drawings like numerals oit referenceindicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

l is a constant speed shalt journalled at its forward and rear ends inbearings 2 and 3 respectively, which are carried by a housing'or casingl adapted to enclose the parts of the mechanism hereinafter describe3l.` 5 is a rot-ary driven member formed as a sleeve loosely mounted onthe constant speed shaft l. It is the function of the apparatus ormechanism as a whole to actuateA this rotary member `Sat the same speedas the shaft l for' a portionv oi' each revolution and at a varied Speedduring the remainder of each revolution. rlhis rotary driven member7 bymeans of any suitable `gearing such as 6, may be used to a'ctuateanydesired mechanism or machine such, for example, as the cylinder orcylinders of a printing press.

The driving connection between the constan't' speed shaft and the rotarydriven member is providedby the following mechanism. 0n the shaft l 1ssecured a carrying member comprising' a gear 7 and a dislr 7. This gear'is meshed with a pinion if ecured to a countershaft which isdetachablyconnected, by means of a clutch (not shown), with a driving shaft oi theprinting press. The dishy is spaced from the gear and connectedtherewith by means of shouldered studs7b (see Fig. l) adapted tomaintain the disk and gear inl spaced relationship.A A spindle 7c,journalled eccentric to the shaft l in the carrying member'. has at' itsouter end, a speed-varying member 8 connected thereto, the inner end ofthe spindle beine; splined to removably carry a change gear Tl.Preferably the. spindle is journalled in a bushing;a T carried by thegear 7 and dish 7, the bushing havingv a shoulder formed at one end forengagement with the gear and having a' nut threaded on the opposite end,adjacent theV spline, for engagement with the diisl. The bushing thusalso serves to hold the part-'s together and prevents any bendingstresses acting; on the spindle.

The rotary driven. member 5 has `gears B1 and C1 suitably securedthereto the `former gear meshes with a gear BZ, of substantially thesame number or teeth as the gear El, seo Figs. l, 2 and` '7. The gear B2is secured to a spindle B3 journallcd in a second carrying` member whichcomprises a pair or spaced disks B4' and 13" connected by shoulderedstuds BS. These disks are located between A 7 and disk 7a and arerotatably mounted on the hubs ot' the latter so that they may berotarily adjusted rel tive to the gear and dish, as hereinafterdescribed. (ln the inner face o1c the disk B5 are formed two hubs BG andC which are diametrically opposits one another and pass through arcu teand C7 formed in the disk 7a. One end ot the spindle B3 passes throughthe hub BG and is journalled therein, the inner end oi the spindle beingsplinod so that a rear i3 may be removably secured tl ereto. This gearis adapted to mesh with an idler O'ear l.) carried on an arm El which isroeaiily adjustable re`ative to the firstor second mentioned carryingmembers by means o'' the: bolt and slot connections B2 between the armand the dish .7a. The D is adapted to mesh with the gear im by which itis driven.

The studs Tis are provided with shoulders to maintain the disks Bt andB5 in spaced relations-hip. One orl more clamps 9 nlre provided for relesably loci these d its afterA they have been rotari'ly adjusted to meshthe gear B withv the gear D. Each cli-amp comprises a pair or sleeves,mounted on a stud 7l and adapted to engage the ad jacent faces' ot thedisks Bt' and and a lever suitably carried by the bolt in engagementwith one sleeve. flihe lever has an eccentricV end adapted to engage theother sleeve' whereby the gear i' and dish la of the iirst mentionedcarrying member may be forced slr. 'litly farther apart.

lt eif'ident that il theA spindle 7C be held from rotation relative tothe carrying member that the rotary driven member will be actuated at'the same speed as the constant speed shai't l whereas if the spindle 'lebe rotated on its airis at various speeds that the rotary member will beactuated at varied speeds either faster or slower than the constantspeed otE the shattl, depending on whether the rotary movement otl thespeedvarying` member is addedto or subtracted from thev moveni'ent orthe rotary driven nember.

I will now describe the manner in which the spindle 5C is intermittentlyrotated during; portion ot' the revolution ot the const'antA speed.shaft. l. rllhe speed varying* ice les

men'iber 8" is formed as a hub secured to the spindle 7 and has aplurality of ratchet teeth lO formed on its periphery, see Figs. 3 anda. In the drawings there are tour equally spaced teeth shown which areadapted to be engaged seriatim by a spring; actuated pawl ll pivoted onan oscillatablo member l2 journalled on the member 8. Preferably thereare two diametrically opposit'e pawls ll employed for engaging two otthe teeth 10' at the same time to equalize the load on opposite sides otthe spindle 7, The oscillatable member is provided with a laterallyextending;v projection 12'7L having' an anti-friction roller thereon forengagement with av cam groove formed in the side of a cam disk ist. Thiscam is adapted to oscillate the member l2 to cause the pawls topartially 'rotate the' speed varying?,l member and to return the pawlsto their startin position for engagen'ient with the next pair or"ratchet teeth on the nent revolution of the Constant speed shaft. InFig. 3 the starting and linishing positions of the speed varying andoscillat-able members are shown in full and in construction linesrespectively, and it will be noted that the rotary movement imparted tothe spindle 7C takes place during a portion less than half of arevolution of the constant speed shaft 1. The speed of the rotary drivenmember 5 is thus varied relative to the speed of the co-nstant speedshaft for a portion of a revolution and the two rotate together for theremainder or more than half of the revolution.

The cam lei is mounted on a sleeve journalled on the shaft l and isgeared thereto so that its speed and its direction of rotation may bevaried relative to the speed and direction of rotation of the constantspeed shaft 1, see Figs. 1 and 5. The forward er outer end of the shaft1 is splined and on this spline is removably carried a gear la whichmeshes with an idler gear la carried on a frame 15. rlhis frame,hereinafter more fully described, is provided with a split hub carriedon an extension formed on or carried by the bearing 2 so that it may beswung concentric to the shaft 1. A screw 16 is provided for clamping thesplit hub to the bushing after the frame has been ro tarily adjusted tobring the gear lei" into mesh with a gear 111 which is removably securedon a shaft 14d. rllhis shaft is journalled in the casing 4l and has apinion 11i@ secured thereto, which pinion is constantly in mesh with agear laf formed on or secured to the cam 1.4i. By changing the size ofthe gears lei, lill or lll@ the speed of the cam will be varied and byusing two idler gears 14 b instead. of one the direction of rotation ofthe cam will be changed .from the direction indicated in Fig. 5.

The rotary driven member ris detachably connected with the .machinewhich it actuates as follows. The gearing 6l (see Fig. l) includes agear 6u. joui-nailed on the shaft- 1 and adapted, by means of a clutchmember G" secured. to the rotary driven member 5, to be driven by thelatter. The gear is pro vided with a circular T slot arrangedconcentrically of the axis of the shaft and adapted to receive aplurality of l headed bolts Gc carried by the member 6b.. The bolts areprovided with nuts adapted, when drawn up tightly against the face ol'the member, to cause the T-heads to grip the gear and rotate the memberand gear as a unit. The drawings show .the gearing 6 connected with aprinting cylinder 17 which is geared to an .impression cylinder 17 of anordinary rotary printing press. The cylin der 17 is provided with aprinting plate 171 which has the same radius as the radius of theimpression cylinder 17 and when the press is working under normalconditions, that is without the use of the variable speed mechanism, theprinting and the impression cylinders are of the same circumference andtheir surface speed is equal at all times to the speed of the paperpassing between them. Under these ordinary conditions the circumferenceof the impression Acylinder governs the length of the sheet of paperbeing used even if the plate does not extend all the way round the platecylinder.

The variable speed mechanism hei-einbefore described with. the gearingshown in Figs. 1, 5 and 7 is adapted to accelerate the speed of therotary driven member and thus the printing cylinder 17, relative to the'i speed of the shaft 1, during a portion of the revolution of theprinting cylinder, whereby a length of paper less than the circumferenceof the impression cylinder may be printed, without wasting any paper.This. of course, necessitates the use of a printing plate subtending anarc lessthan that of the circumference of the cylinder so that the paperwill pass freely at its uniform speed between the impression andprinting cylinders while their speeds are being varied.

The length of the arc of the printing plate is substantiallyone-half'the length of the desired length of papers so that by using twosets of similar' printing cylinders actuated by the. gearing 6 and bysuitably carrying the paper round spacing rollers (not shown) the wholesurface of the paper may be printed, one-half on one set of cylindersand the other half on the other set. By justing the position of theplates relative to one another, two or more colored impressions may besuperimposed 'on various lengths of paper. l

lt is evident' that by changing thegear ratio or the direction ofrotation between the constant speed shaft 1 and the cam 14rand betweenthe spindle 7C and the rotary driven member 5 the length of theV arc forvarying the .speed of the rotary driven member will be varied. r'lhelength of the arc of uniform speed ofthe printing cylinder 17 is thusvaried and these variable periodsA control the number of diliferentsized printing plates that .may be used and thus the num ber ofdifferent sized sheets that may be printed.

lfihen it is desired to print'from plates subtending an arc of more than180ovit is necessary to retard the speed of the rotary driven member,relative to the constant speed of the shaft. during the portion of itsrev-V olution in which the printing plate is free of the paper. This isaccomplished by using two gears leb to change the direction of rotationof the cam 14 and omitting the gear.

D to cause the speed of the rotary member 5 to be subtracted fromthespeed of the shaft 1 and also by changing the gear ratios of theforward. and rear drive gears, which are all removably carried on thespindles The constant speed shaft 1 is located, on the frame 17c of theprinting press, relative to the printing cylinders 17 and 17a'asfollows. The press frame is provided with a laterally extending boss, orlarge dowel 17(1 adapted to be received in the inner end of the bearing3 which projects beyond the end of the shaft 1.

While the speed-varying member 8 is being carried through the are inwhich all the parts of the mechanism travel at a uniform speed, it isdesirable to positively lock the member 8 to prevent the rotary drivenmember 5 moving relative to the constant speed shaft 1. In the drawingsthe cam 111 is designed to actuate the speed-varying member a one'-(pia-rter revolution during each revolution of the carrying-member 7, 7abut variations of this are of movement might be employed by changing theshape of the cam to increase or decrease the arc of the speed-varyingmember and by changing the gear ratios to correspond. in any case, toobtain good printing results it is necessary to control the movement ofthe speed-varying member for substantially its whole rot-ary movementand then lock it as mentioned above. This is accomplished by securing acontrol cam 14g to the cam 11i (see Figs. 1, 3 and 4,) by mounting bothon a short sleeve and providing the speed-varying member 8 with fourequally spaced projections carrying antifrictionrollers 8a, 8b, Se and8d adapted to engage the control cam. rlhe control cam is concentric tothe cam 14; and the major portion of its periphery is concentric to theshaft 1. Referring particularly to Fig. 3, it will be seen that at .thecommencement of the rotary movement of the speed-v rying member, shownin full lines, the rollers 8b and Se are contacting with or engaging theconcentric portion of the control cam. As the carrying member 7, 'larotates past the cam 1d, the projection 12a on the oscillatable memberis swung away from the shaft 1 to impart the rotary movement to thespeed-varying member. The roller 8 is thus swung away from the controlcam and the roller 8c trarels in towards 'the center of the control camwhich is shaped to engage this roller during this portion of themovement. As the rotary movement of the speed varying member progressesthe member .is partially turned on the spindle 7 and the control cam isprovided with a low spot 1th adapted to engage. the roller 8c duringsubstantially the whole of its movement when the spindle 7 is changingfrom its position behind this roller to its -position in front of theroller. rihe roller 8C then substantially follows the contour of thecontrol cam while-the rotary movement is being completed to swing theroller 8d into engagement with the concentric portion of the cam. Whenthis happens the roller 8C has also moved sufliciently to engage theconcentric portion of the cam, as indicated 1n construction lines. Thesetwo rollers remain 1n engagement with the control cam, during theremainder of the revolu-` i tion of thecarrying member. From this it isobvious that the relative-'position of the speed-varying and theoscillatable members will be controlled by the roller 8 to tend toprev-ent the former member overrunning the second. lt is also evidentthat the engagement of the rollers SI and 8d, with the control cam, willpositively lock the speed varying member from rotation when it is notbeing moved by the oscillatable member. During the remainder of therevolution, in which the parts travel at uniform speed, the cam 11ireturns the projection 12EL to its initial position whereby the pawls 11will engage afresh pair of teeth 10 in the member 8 to again actuate thelatter on the next revolu-` tion of the shaft 1. The roll-er 8d willfollow the contour of the cam 14g on this next revolution and therollers 8a and 8d will lock the member 8 during the period of uniformspeed.

With the above described controlling and locking mechanism the apparatuswill actuate' the printing cylinders to accurately register and is thusadapted for high-class work in producingtwo or more colors on varioussized sheets of paper.

To prevent the inturning roller on the n speed-varying member 8 `fromforcibly striking the control cam at the end of its rotary movement lprovide means for checking` the momentum of the member to positivelyprevent it from overrunning thepawl and ratchet drive connection 11 and10 (see Figs. 3 ande.) These means comprise a pawl 30 carried by theoscillatable member 12 for engaging any one of four equally spacedratchet teeth 31 formed in the speedvarying member 8. The teeth 31 areformed in the opposite direction to the teeth 10 so that the pawl 30will retain the driving engagement between the pavvls 11 and the teeth10 during substantially the complete rotary movement of thespeed-varying member. Preferably the pawl 30 is formed as a leverfulcrumed intermediate its ends and l is provided with an anti-frictionroller 32, adapted to engage `an arc shaped shoulder formed in theoscillatable member,to take the thrust. During the return movement ofthe oscilla-table member itis necessary to disengage the pawl 30 fromthe speed-varying member to permit the former member to rock reiativetothelatter. For this purpose a linger 33 is provided which `is carried ona rod journalled in the member 12 and adapted to engage a pair of spacedshoulders formed on the end of the pawl. The rod has an arm 34 securedthereto, which arm is adapted to be rocked in one direction by aprojection 35 adjustably carried on the gear "75 to cause the tnger todisengage the pawl 30 `lrom its tooth 31. `The arm 34 is adapted toengage a second projection 35 also adjnstably carried by the gear Z tocause the linger to be rocked in the opposite direction to. move thepawl into engagement with a fresh tooth 31. The pawl is disengaged at orabout the time the rotary movement of the speed-varying member ceasesand is engaged Vat' or about the time this rotary movement comm ences.'l he arm is provided with two flats either one of which willy beengaged by a flat spring 36, carried on the member l2, to` releasablyretain the arm and thus the pawl as positioned.

rllhe mode of operation is as follows. rlhe clutch (not shown) connectedwith the countershait to which the pinion Tf is secured, is thrown in tocause the pinion to drive the gear and the disk 7 which is connectedthereto. -Zlhe clutch 6b is then tightened tov form a driving`connection between the rotary driven member 5 and the` driving gears Gonly one of which is shown. rlhe rotation oi the gear l causes theconstant speed shai't l; to be driven which drives, by means of thevtorward change speed gears, thev camfdisl'f; lil. ris. the irstcarrying member, termed by the gear I and dislr 7a, is rotated-thespindle 7C, gear 7d, speed-varying member d` and the oscillatable member12 are revolvedon the axis of 'the carrying member which moves at adifferent speed-tothe cam le to cause the member l2.

to actuaterthe member 8 during a portion oit each revolution as..hereinbefore described.

The second carrying member B4, is rotated bymeans of the clamp 9 andplunger 28 with tb iirst carrying member to cause the gear B or C;whichever one is beingV used, to revolve on the airis ci the carryingmember. The gear D, when used, also revolves on its axis as the arm D1is secured to4 the disk Tn. From this it followsV that during theportion of the revolution in which, the oscillatable member is notactuating the speed varying member, the whole apparatus revolves withthe constant speed shaft l at the impression speed and during theremainder oi the revolution the oscillatable member causes the speed cithe rotary driven member' 5 to be varied relative to the speed oftheshalt l, this might be termed the recovering speed.

-What l claim is l. ln variable speed mechanism for printing presses,the combination of a rotary driven,z member from which printingcylinders may be driven; means for driving the rotary driven member at auniform speed during part of a revolution and at a different speedduring tbe remainder of the revolution including an intermittentlyactuated rotary speed-varying member; means for positively locking saidspeed-varying memnecesa@ ber when it ifs not in rotation, including acam about which trie speed varying member rotates and a plurality ot'rollers on the speed varying member, pairs ot which consecftivelyenf-Terre the said cam during the periods ot unii'orm speed; and meansfor varying the length ot the are oi: uniform speed with-out varying thespeed which remains rela-tively constant for all settings o'l thedevice.

Q. ln variable speed mechanism, the combination ot a constant speedshaft; rotary driven member loose on the said shaft; a carrying membersecured to said shaft; a spindle jonrnalled in said carrying member; arotary speed-varying member secured to-saidy spindle; a rotatable memberadapted to intermittently rotate said speed-varying member; means forpositively locking said speed-varying member when it is not in rotation,including a cam about which the speed if'arying member rotates and aplurality ot rollers on the speed varyino' member, pairs oit' whichconsecutively engage the said can during` the periods of uniform speed;and means i'or actuating said rotatable membeicat a predetermined speedrelative to the constant speed shalt.

3. ln variable speed mechanism, the combination ot a rotary drivenmember; a4 carrying member rotatably mounted; a speedvarying memberjournalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof;gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; a camdislr adjacent the carrying member means i'or rotating the carryingmember and tor imparting a relative movement ol rotation to the camdislr and carrying member; an oscillatable member journalled concentricwith the speedvarying iember and actuable by said cam; pawlr andyratchet driving means whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be impartedto the speed-varying member by the rocking of the oscillatable member;and means tor positively locking said speed-varying member while thesaid s )eed varying member is not being moved by the oscillatablemember.

Ll. ln variable speed mechanism the combination of av rotary drivenmember; a carrying member rotatably mounted; a speedvarying memberjournailed on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof;gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; a camdisk adjacent the carrying member; means for rotating the carryingmember and for imparting a relative movement ci rotation to the camdislr and carrying member; an oscillatable member journalled concentricwith the speedvarying member and actuable by said cam; pawl and ratchetdriving means whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be imparted to thespeed-varying member by the rocking of the oseillatable member; aplurality of or* in) lll?! -1- blemember journalled concentric equallyspaced projections on the speedvarying member; and a cam concentric withthe {i1-st mentioned cam and engagea-ble substantially Acontinuously bytwo ot said pro- 'ections while the said speed-varying memlier is notbeing moved by the oscillatable member and thereby lock said member tromrotation.

5. In variable speed mechanism; the combination of a rotary drivenmember; a carrying member rotatably mounted; a speed- 'arying memberjournalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof;gearing and the driven member; a cam dislr adjacent the carrying member;means `for rotating the carrying member andtor imparting a relativemovement ot rotation to the cam disk and carrying member; anoscillatawith the speed varying member and Vactuable by said cam; a pawland ratchet-driving means whereby a stepwise rotary movement may beimparted to the speed-varying member by the rocking ot the oscillatablemember; a plurality ot equally spaced projections on the speed-varyingmember; and a cam concentric with the iirst mentioned cam and engageable substantially continuously by two ot' said projections whilethe said speedvarying member is not beingl moved by the oscillatablemember and thereby lock said member from rotation, and having a low spotadapted for the passage ot said projec- '5 tions one-by-one to permit oftheV movement of the speed-varying` member by the oscillatablemember andprevent overrunning` ot the said member.

G. ln variable speed mechanism the combmation oit a rotary drivenmember; a carirying member rotatably mounted; a speedvarying` memberournalled on said carrying member eccentric to the airis thereof;gearing;` between said speed-varyingl member and the driven member; acam disk adjacent the carrying member; means tor rotating the carryingmember and Ytor imparting a relative movement of rotation to the camdish and carrying member; an oscillatable'member journalled concentricwith the speedvarying member and actuable by said cam;

pa-wl and ratchet driving` means whereby a v stepwise rotary movementmay be imparted to the speed-varying ing et the oscillatable member; aplurality of equally spaced projections on the speedvarying member; anda cam concentric with the lirst ment-ioned cam and engageablesubstantially continuously by two oi said projections while the saidspeed-varying member is not being,` moved by the scillatable member andthereby lock said member from rotation; and having` a low spot adaptedYfor the passage ot said projections one-by-one to permit ot themovement of the speedbetween said speed-varying member member by theroclvarying member by the Voscillatable member and jrevent overrunningotthe said member, said cam being figured so that one projection issubstantially always inV contact with the cam surface.' f

7. 'A variable speed mechanism constructed as set torth in claim e inwhich the rot-ary speed-varying member is formed with four ratchet teethand 'tour projections an'd the oscillatable member with two pawlsadapted to engage the teeth.

8. ln variable speed mechanism, the combination oit a rotary drivenmember; a`

carrying` member.` rotatably mounted; a

speed-varying member journalledk on sai-d carrying member eccentric tothe axis thereot; gearing between said speed-varying member and thedriven member; a cam disk adjacent the carrying member; means forrotating the carrying` member and for impartinga relative movement lotrotation to the cam disk and carrying member; an oscillatable memberjournalled concentric with the lspeed varying` member and actuable bysaid cam; pawl and ratchet-driving means whereby a step 'ise rotary`movement maybe imparted to the speed-varying member by the rocking otthe oscillatable member; means 'for positiv-ely ,locking saidspeed-varying` member while the said speed lvarying member rs not being`moved by the oscillatable member; pawl and ratchet m chanisnr betweenthe .speed-varying member and the'oscillatable member adaptedV to checl;the momentum ol the speedvarying member to preventit `over-running thepawl-anderatchet drive; and `means on the carrying` member for engagingsaidV retainingV ratchet to throw ,it out ot engagement at or about thetime the rotary movement of the speed-varying.member ceases.`

9. ln variable speed mechanism; the combination of v'a rotary drivenmember; a carrying member rotatably mounted; a speed-varying memberjournalled on said carrying);` membereccentric to the axis thereof;gearing between Isaid speed-varying member aud the driven member; a camdislr adjacent the carrying member; means for rotating the carryingmember and for imparting a relative movement of rotation to the cam diskand carryingA member; an oscillatable member journalled concentric withthe speed varying` member and actuable byV being` moved by the lli10.-In variable speed mechanism, the combination cfa constant speedshaft; a

rotary .driven member; a carrying member` secured to said shaft; arotary speed-varying member journalled in said carrying member; gearingbetween saidv speed-vary ing` member and the driven member; a cam Idiskjournalled concentric with` the constant speed shaft Vand gearedthereto; an oscillatable member pivoted concentric with the speedvarying member and actuable by said cam.; pand-and -ratchet drivingmeans whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be impartedI to thespeed-varying means by rocking the oscill'atable member; a plurality ofequally spaced projections on the speed'- var'ying member; and a camconcentric with the first mentionedV cam and engageable substantiallycontinuously by tWo of said' pro` jections While the said speed-varyingmember isJ not being moved by the oscillatable member and thereby locksaid member from rotation.

1l. In. variable speed mechanism, the combination of a constant speedshaft; a rotary driven member; a carrying` member secured; to saidshaft; a rotary speed-varying,- member journalled inV said carryingmember; gearingbetween scid speed-varying;` member and the drivenmember; al cam disk journal-led concentric with the constant speed shaftand geared thereto; an oscillatable member pivoted concentric with thespeed'varying'member and actuable by said cam; paavlsand-ratcbetdrivingv means whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be imparted to thespeccir-varying` means by rocking the oscillatable member; a pluralityof equally spaced projections on the speedvarying` member; and a camconcentric with the first mentioned cam and engageable substantially.continuously by two of said projections While the said speed-varyingmember is not being moved by the oscillatable member and thereby lock4seiid member from rotation, and llavingra lou7 spot adapted for thepassage of said projections one-by-onel to` permit of the rotarymovement ofthe speed-varying member by the oscillatable member andprevent overrunning` of the said member.

lf2. ln varia-ble speed mechanism, the combination of a constant speedshaft; a rotary driven member; a carrying member secured to said shaft;a rotary speed-varying member journalled in said carrying member;gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; a camdisk journalled concentric With the constant speed shaft andV gearedthereto; an oscillatable member pivoted concentric with the speedvarying member and act'uable by said cam; pavvland-ratchet .drivingmeans whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be imparted to thespeed-varying member nece; 54e

by rocking` the oscillatable member; a plurality of equally spacedprojections 'on the speed-vary'ig member; a cam concentric with the i1st mentioned cam and engagea able suistantially continuously by two ofsaid projections Whilev the said speed-varying'member is not beingmovedV by the oscillatable member and thereby lock saidv mem'- ber fromrotation; and having' a. low spot adapt-ed for the passage of said;projections one-by-one to pernn` of they rotary movement of thespeed-varying member by the oscillatable me'iber and prevent overrun'-ning1 of the sa member, said cam being figured so that one projection is.substantial-'- ly always in contact With the cam surface.

13. A variable speedy mechanism con:- structed as set forth in claim l0in which theV rotary speed-varying member is formed with four ratchetteeth and four projectionsr and the oscillatable member ivitbftnf'opawls adapted to encrage the teeth.

la. In variable-speed mechanism; the combination of; a constant speedshaft; a rotarv driven member; a carrying; member secured to said shaft;a rotary speecl-ve-rying'4 member journalied in said carrying member;gearingl between said speed-varyine'V member and the driven member; acam d i Y nailed concentric Withthe constant speed shaft and gearedthereto; an oscillatable member pivote-dV concentric With thespeedvarying member and actuable by said bam;- pavfl-and-ratchetdriving` 'means whereby aV stepnfse rot. ry movement may be imparted tothe speed-varying means by rocking the oscillatable member; a pluralityof equally spaced projections on the speedvarying member; a camconcentric with the rst mentioned cam ano engageable substantiallycontinuously by tivo of While the said speedevarying member is notbeing' moved by the oscillatable niemberandsaid member A'from rotation;

thereby lock and means adapted to check hemomentinn of the:Seeed-varying member tol prevent it ovc'rrunning' the paWi-and-ratcbetdrive.

l5. ln variable spee'dinechanism; the combination of a` constant speedshaft; a rotary driven member concentric with the shaft; a carrying`member secured to said shaft; a rotary speed-varying; member j'ournaledin said carrying member; gearing between saidl specdvarying memberandthe driven member; rotary actuating mechanism for the speed-varymember geared to the constant spe shaft; and means for varying the gearratio of the gearing` between the constant speed shaft and the saidrotary actuating mechanism 'for the speed varying" member comprising arear carrying frame mounted to swing` concentric WithY the a-Xis of theconstant speed shaft and rotary driven member and carrying part of thegear train, a stationary member7 .tine-adjustsaidprojectionsmentmechanism between said member and the gear carrying frame adapted tofinely adjust the meshing of the gears carried by the frame '-.vith theother gears of the train, and means for clamping the gear carrying frameand said member together.

16. /variable speed mechanism as set forth in claim 15 in which thefine-adjustment mechanism comprises a stud journalled in the member; aslide movable on the stud transversely thereof and pivotally connectedWith the gear carrying frame; and a screw threaded through the stud androtatably connected with the frame to move the latter relative to thestud.

l?. Variable speed mechanism as set forth in claim 15 in which the gearcarrying frame is provided with an undercut groove .and a gear isprovided mounted on a stud having a head adapted to slide in said grooveand to be clamped therein.

i8. ln variable speed mechanism, the combination of constant speedshaft; a rot-ary driven member loose on the said shaft; a carryingmember` secured to said shaft; a spindle journalled therein; aspeed-varying member secured to one end of said spindle; a gear Wheelconnected to the other end of said spindle; a rotatable member adaptedto intermittently rotate said speed-varying member; means for actuatingsaid rotatable member at a pre-determined speed relative to the constantspeed shaft; a second carrying member rotarily adjustable relative tothe first; tivo change-gear spindles journalled therein; a gear Wheeladapted to be secured to either spindle, Which gear in either of whichpositions is adapted by the adjustment of said second carrying member tobe brought into mesh with the gear on the spindle of the speed varyingmember; and separate gear trains of different gear ratio whereby therotary 4driven member may be driven from either of said changerspindles, 9, ln variable speed mechanism9 the comation of a constantspeed shaft; a rotary driven member loose on the said shaft; a carryingmember secured to said shaft: a spindle journalled therein; alspeed-varying member secured to one end of said spindle;

gear Wheel connected to the other end of intermittently rotate saidspeed varying member; means for actuating said rotatable member at apre-determined speed relative to the constant speed shaft; a secondcarrying member rotarily adjustable relative to the first; twochange-gear spindles journalled therein; a gear Wheel adapted to besecured to either spindle, which gear in either of which positions isadapted by the adjustment of said second carrying member to be broughtinto mesh with the gear on the spindle of the speed varying member; sepasaid spindle; a rotatable member adapted to arate gear trains ofdifferent gear ratio whereby the rotary driven member may be driven fromeither of said change-gear spindles; an arm rotarily adjustable relativetothe second carrying member; and a gear carried thereby adapted to beinterposed between the gear on the spindle of the speedvarying memberand a gear on one of the change-gear spindles.

20. In variable speed mechanism, the combination of a constant speedshaft; a rotary driven member loose on the said shaft; a carrying membersecured to said shaft and comprising tWo spaced disks; a spindlejournalled therein; a speed-varying member seu the adjacent faces of thefirst carrying member to clamp the carrying members together asadjusted; tivo change-gear spindles journalled therein; a gear Wheeladapted to be secured to either spindle7 which gear in either of whichpositions is adapted by the adjustment of said second carrying member tobe brought into mesh with the gear on the spindle of the speed-varyingmember; and separate gear trains of different gear ratio whereby therotary driven member may be driven from either of said change-gearspindles.

21. Variable speed mechanism constructed as set forth in claim 18 inwhich the second carrying member is provided with a spring -actuated plnger and the first mentioned carrying member with a se ies of holes forengagement by the plunger to position the one relative to the other asdesired.

22. in variable speed mechanism; the combination of a rotary drivenmember.; a carrying member rotatably mounted; a speedvarying memberjournalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof;gearing between said speed-varying'member and the driven member; a camdisk adj acenthe carrying member; means for rotating the carrying memberand for imparting a rc ative movement'of rot-ation to the cam disk andcarrying` member; an oscillatable member journalled concentric with thespeedvarying member and actuable by said cam; pawl and ratchet-drivingmeans whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be imparted to thespeed-varying member by the rocking of the'oscillatable member; meansfor positively locking said speed-varying member While the saidspeed-varying member is not being moved by the osciiiatable member; pawland ratchet meohanism between the speed-Varying member and 4theosoiilatable member adapted to cheek the momentum of the speed-varyingmember to prevent it overrunning the paSvl-and-ratobet drive; means onthe earrying member for engaging said retaining ratchet to throw it intoengage- '10 ment at or about Athe time `the rotary movement of thespeed-varying member com menees; and means on the Carrying member forengaging said retaining ratchet to throw it out of engagement at orabout the time the rotary movement of the speed-varying member ceases.

Signed at Boston, Mass. this eleventh day of December, 1924.

J. HARRY WELLS.

